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Variance

variancecharts.com

51–56 of 56 posts

Re: Variance

#52

Having to load the "free" version from the variance cdn is the showstopper here. I really refrain from sending my users data to anyone else, that is without my control. So sadly, as beautiful, as I find this, I have to refrain from using it in my non profit projects.

You are loading the JavaScript library from the CDN into a browser. The data also goes to the browser, not to their CDN. So if sending your data to them is the show stopper for you, that shouldn't stop the show since that's not what happens.

Re: Variance

#53

The example graphs confuse dependent and independent variables, putting quarters on the vertical axis. This makes the curve look negative, when in fact it's positive (up and to the right - usually a good thing). This really takes away from the example, as it takes seemingly important business data, and renders it in a negative way that I wouldn't expect or like. I strongly suggest correcting the example. Otherwise th…

Are you referring to this example: https://variancecharts.com/examples/bar_grouped/ ?

I tend to prefer horizontal bar to vertical bar charts for English graphics because the label text reads left-to-right, making it easier to read.

It's a good observation though; readers often expect the independent variable to be on the abscissa. We'll be discussing these kinds of graphical decisions in a series of free articles on the site.

Re: Variance

#54
post #47

Why are all the good chart generators that aren't dwarf fortress-esque always for-profit ventures?

Probably because someone put in a lot of effort to write visualization software that isn't dwarf fortress-esque and would like to be compensated for it. If you'd like to build an equivalent open-source library, though, you have my vote.

I mean this is the obvious answer, but I don't find it holds muster when considering open source projects like Linux and gcc, two projects who are immensely more complicated and are entirely Free.

I just wonder what it is about visualization that lends itself to monetization.

Re: Variance

#56
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because someone put in a lot of effort to write visualization software that isn't dwarf fortress-esque and would like to be compensated for it. If you'd like to build an equivalent open-source library, though, you have my vote.

I mean this is the obvious answer, but I don't find it holds muster when considering open source projects like Linux and gcc, two projects who are immensely more complicated and are entirely Free. I just wonder what it is about visualization that lends itself to monetization.

Linux and gcc are somewhat atypical, IMO. They are also both developer-oriented tools rather than layman-oriented tools (though Linux is rapidly moving to be more layman-friendly, granted!).

I would argue that among tools written for the layman, the commercial versions seem to be better than their OSS counterparts. This isn't universally true, but people without expertise are often willing to pay some money to not have to develop expertise. When it comes to visualization libraries, there are plenty of high-quality visualization tools that are highly accessible to the experienced developer, but not to the layman. Developers don't have much incentive to make them easier for the layman to use outside of financial motivation.

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